News Release

Wednesday, July 20, 2005

Serial Robbers Caught on Surveillance Video

Los Angeles:†The Los Angeles Police Departmentís Wilshire Robbery Unit is investigating a series of armed robberies that have occurred in the Hancock Park/Western Avenue Corridor.†††

In the past three weeks, four small businesses were robbed by the same suspects.† As one of the suspects acts as a lookout, the other suspect entered an open business armed with handgun and took cash and other items.†

On Wednesday, June 29, 2005, at about 10:00 AM, Numero Uno Mini Mart located at 4410 West 2nd Street was robbed.† On the same day at 2:20 PM, the Variety Store located at 201 South Western Avenue was robbed.

On Friday, July 15, 2005, at about 7:50 PM, the Melrose Vine Mini Mart located at 655 North Rossmore Avenue was robbed.

On Monday, July 18, 2005, at about 4:00 PM, the Sav-On Variety Store located at 558 South Western Avenue was robbed.

The primary suspect is described as a male Hispanic, 5 feet 8 inches to 6 feet tall, 170 to 190 pounds, in his early to mid twenties.† He was observed wearing dark clothing and a cap in two of the robberies.† In all the robberies he displayed a blue steel handgun or simulated a handgun.† The second suspect is described as a possible male black in his early to mid twenties.

Surveillance videos are available for the media upon request by contacting Media Relations personnel at 213-485-3586.

Anyone with information regarding these robberies is requested to contact Wilshire Division Robbery Detectives Andrews at 213-922-8220 or Leiva at 213-922-8221.† On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at the Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).